Those that attack satire merely show insecurity in their beliefs, whatever they may say. Something demonstratively true stands on its own with no defence needed. Why cannot we all just accept, privately and quietly, what we believe in and let others follow their own way?
Steve Bell, the Guardian's great cartoonist, threw together a hurried response: two guys with skeletons painted on their black outfits, carrying Kalashnikovs, saying to each other "Why are the bastards still laughing at us?"
In fact, I was far from laughing at the time but I got his point: this is the one response they cannot counter. Like all zealots they lack a sense of humour.
One thing comforts me. France may or not catch them (they've already identified them by name, two brothers, both with records). If they do there'll be no gory aftermath. In the dull way it is with democracies adhering to the rule of law, there'll be a trial and they'll be put away. Decades of opportunities for contemplation is a far better answer than lopping their heads off. Growing old as murderers.
And it's just possible they may get off - perhaps on a technicality. If so they should contemplate that too. As should we. Staying out of the barbaric pit.
So much for my powers of prediction. In fact the aftermath couldn't have been gorier and of course that was what the perpetrators wanted. In their version of Islam they died as martyrs and went straight to heaven to enjoy dalliance with forty-plus virgins, etc, etc.
What I was ranting about was that the state wouldn't officially put them to death. True at the moment in France but Marine le Pen, leader of the extreme-right Front National, used the event to call for a referendum to re-establish capital punishment. Were this to happen there's quite a good chance the majority would vote yes. Same in England where the subject crops up occasionally.
Many ask: well if that's the majority opinion why doesn't it happen? Just occasionally politicians have to save us from our worst selves.
4 comments:
Me too.
This is the point of satire, allowed fools, comedy, to attack them is to lose one's credibility. To show oneself to be dangerously silly and pathetic.
Those that attack satire merely show insecurity in their beliefs, whatever they may say. Something demonstratively true stands on its own with no defence needed.
Why cannot we all just accept, privately and quietly, what we believe in and let others follow their own way?
Steve Bell, the Guardian's great cartoonist, threw together a hurried response: two guys with skeletons painted on their black outfits, carrying Kalashnikovs, saying to each other "Why are the bastards still laughing at us?"
In fact, I was far from laughing at the time but I got his point: this is the one response they cannot counter. Like all zealots they lack a sense of humour.
One thing comforts me. France may or not catch them (they've already identified them by name, two brothers, both with records). If they do there'll be no gory aftermath. In the dull way it is with democracies adhering to the rule of law, there'll be a trial and they'll be put away. Decades of opportunities for contemplation is a far better answer than lopping their heads off. Growing old as murderers.
And it's just possible they may get off - perhaps on a technicality. If so they should contemplate that too. As should we. Staying out of the barbaric pit.
So much for my powers of prediction. In fact the aftermath couldn't have been gorier and of course that was what the perpetrators wanted. In their version of Islam they died as martyrs and went straight to heaven to enjoy dalliance with forty-plus virgins, etc, etc.
What I was ranting about was that the state wouldn't officially put them to death. True at the moment in France but Marine le Pen, leader of the extreme-right Front National, used the event to call for a referendum to re-establish capital punishment. Were this to happen there's quite a good chance the majority would vote yes. Same in England where the subject crops up occasionally.
Many ask: well if that's the majority opinion why doesn't it happen? Just occasionally politicians have to save us from our worst selves.
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